The Dutch government is reacting too slowly to technological developments such as robotics, self-driving cars and internet platforms like Uber and Airbnb, according to macro-economic think tank CPB.

If the Netherlands wants to keep its leading role in terms of technology, the government will have to make it easier for companies to make advances, the CPB report said.

Flexibility is key in this and a new approach is needed to deal with expensive technological developments, the CPB said. For example, the government could undertake more experimentation to help companies advance.

Governments want to protect their citizens and this means ‘they often wait too long or until there is more clarity about a new technology or development. But bringing in rules later is often more difficult and expensive,’ the organisation said.

Former European digital agenda commissioner Neelie Kroes, who now works for Uber’s advisory board told the AD: ‘The government and politicians don’t look to the future enough. You have to have guts to look over borders at a changing world, and not avoid risks.’

Canada, she said, is an example of a country which makes IT developments a proper priority.